David Lees, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that the mother-of-three – who was attending a christening at the time – had been left badly traumatised.

He said it happened after Miss Beck told Wilcox she wanted to end their short relationship and ordered him to move out of her house that day.

Wilcox, 37, of Parker Street, Bloxwich, admitted arson and being reckless as to whether life was endangered at a time when he was subject to an eight-week suspended prison sentence for a drink-related offence.

He was jailed for 32 months.

The court heard Wilcox downed a large amount of alcohol then sent Miss Beck a string of text messages which were “a little emotional”.

A neighbour then noticed smoke coming from the front bedroom window.

After police arrived on the scene Wilcox initially maintained he had started the fire by accident.

But the court heard a fire report ruled the blaze had been started with the help of an accelerant.

Malcolm Fowler, defending, told the court that Wilcox was taking determined steps to put his life in order.

He added: “He is a person who realises now that he must rise above this period in his life where he lost his way.”